Nashville Mayor Megan Barry praised the city's first responders and their families as part of a 9/11 commemoration ceremony Monday at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial outside the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

"I know we all watched with horror as the planes hit those towers and we all wondered what was happening to the people inside," Barry said. "But what was happening on the ground is that the first responders were rushing toward those people.

"Every firefighter who gets up every day and doesn't know if he or she is going to go home to their family, and I commend those family members too. Because we know when first responders serve, they serve alongside their families."

It was the 10th year for the commemoration ceremony that included members of the Nashville Fire Department, members of the IAFF Local 140 and city and state officials.

The Nashville Fire Department cited 343 firefighters, 60 police officers and eight emergency medical technicians who died as they responded to the attacks on the World Trade Centers plus others who died from medical conditions believed to be related to 9/11.

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"I think the essence of a commemoration of such a tragic event is also to reinforce and to encourage the people who today have to go into harms way for others," said Jim Holzemer, a deacon for the Catholic Dioceses of Nashville and a retired assistant chief for the Nashville Fire Department.

Names were also read and the bell tolled for retired and active Nashville Fire Department personnel who have died the past year.

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Members of the Nashville Fire Department, IAFF Local 140, and city and state officials honored first responders who were killed in the 9/11 attacks on Sept. 11, 2017.(Photo: Andy Humbles / The Tennessean)

Barry, Nashville Fire Department Director Rick White and IAFF Local 140 President Mark Young laid down a wreath at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial.

"For firefighters and all first responders, this day is especially solemn," Nashville Deputy Fire Director William Swann said. "When you dedicate your life to public service and protecting the lives of your fellow citizens you join a very special family. It's a family made up of people you may never meet, but share that special bond of sacrifice."

Students within Lipscomb University’s Campus Veterans Organization also held a memorial service on the quad at Lipscomb’s Burton Sciences Center.

The Campus Veterans Organization is a student-led, campus chapter of the Student Veterans of America national chapter. The service included a prayer, moment of silence and memorial walk.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.